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x = hours

x = minutes

x = milliliters/hour

x

volume

calibration

gtt/min

gtt/15sec

Formulas

To calculate rate using minutes

volume x calibrationminutes

= gtt/min

To calculate rate using hours

volume x calibrationhours x 60

= gtt/min

Examples

1) Give a 50cc IVPB over 30 minutes using IV tubing with a calibration
of 10. How many drops per minute should this IVPB be set for? See the example below.

select "x = minutes"
x = 30
volume = 50
calibration = 10

Actual formula:

50 x 1030

= 16.7 or 17 gtt/min

2) Using IV tubing alone (calibrated at 60), prepare an IV
to infuse 1 liter over 8 hours. How many drops per minute should the IV be
set for? See the example below.

select "x = hours"
x = 8
volume = 1000
calibration = 60

Actual formula:

1000ml x
608 x 60

= 125 gtt/min

Note, when using microdrip tubing (calibration = 60), the drip rate will be the same as
mL/hr. This will save you the time of
calculating the drip rate if asked to give the rate in mL/hr.

3) The doctor orders an IV to infuse at 125cc/hr.
Calculate the flow rate using 10 drop/min IV tubing.

select "x = milliters/hour"
x = 125
calibration = 10

Actual formula:

125cc x 1060

= 20.8 or 21 gtt/min

Note

You may be wondering why a second
answer is displayed in the calculator. The first answer displays the
number of drops per minute. The second answer displays how many drops fall
in 15 seconds. Sometimes the IV rate is set by counting for 15 seconds
instead of a full minute.